New modern bass for rock

[Marcray]

I hope I don’t regret this, because I know this is a rather silly question that has a thousand possible answers, so please reply only if you have real experience with what you are recommending.

I’m pondering a new 4 string bass, but not an old school bass.  Modern, modern-ish, primarily for rock.  Probably switchable passive/active, tremendous  playability, a budget of 3-5 thousand.  

I have had Fenders, Gibson’s, G&L’s, the only bass I can call “modern“ in my collection is a quite early Zon Legacy Elite.  
 

So suggestions welcome and please ask questions.  I’m wondering if there is something out there that I should take a serious look at.  Thanks 🙂
 

 

[Lozz196]

I think I’d be checking out Spectors, see if they have something that fits the requirements.

[BigRedX]

Dingwall.

[ClassicVibes]

What is modern? Scooped? Woody? I'm surprised you cannot get a modern tone from the arsenal you already have. 

[therealting]

+1 for Dingwall. Sadowsky also well worth a look. It really depends what tone you are after. 

[Marcray]

18 minutes ago, ClassicVibes said:

What is modern? Scooped? Woody? I'm surprised you cannot get a modern tone from the arsenal you already have. 

That’s a really good question. Maybe my definition of modern is more in build quality and method.  I tend to prefer a scooped tone, probably more old school.  Which is why I’m attracted to the F-Bass PJ, for the tone I’m used to with modern build quality.  But does it go against my search?   That said if there’s one thing that I don’t think there is enough of in modern basses is neck position pickups.  Bridge pickups, especially solo’d is something I can’t stand.  Another bass that’s caught my eye is the Manson JPJ, but of course not the easiest to get your hands on.  

Edited May 19, 2020 by Marcray

[ClassicVibes]

If that's the case then I would probably recommend a Spector. This one looks like a beast:

https://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Spector_Forte_4.html

[therealting]

What about a Yamaha Attitude, if you prefer that neck sound?

[Marcray]

4 minutes ago, ClassicVibes said:

If that's the case then I would probably recommend a Spector. This one looks like a beast:

https://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Spector_Forte_4.html

Many many years ago I used a borrowed relatively early Spector for a record, that was very nice.  They were a little too common at the time and I was never one to go with the herd.  Now, It’s certainly one to consider, even though you could possibly call it vintage at this point 😁

[NancyJohnson]

While my loyalties lie elsewhere, I'd still say buy a Spector.  On that budget, you should easily be able to find a Euro LT (or two) off the shelf without much issue,  top end of that budget might get you a US made NS or X model.  They also seem happy for customers to approach them direct to circumvent the whole dealer markup.

[Marcray]

4 minutes ago, therealting said:

What about a Yamaha Attitude, if you prefer that neck sound?

Yep, it’s on my list as a possibility.  I’ve also considered asking a luthier to simply build something with the same type pickup options.  Although for some reason that gives me more anxiety 😁.

[Marcray]

5 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

While my loyalties lie elsewhere, I'd still say buy a Spector.  On that budget, you should easily be able to find a Euro LT (or two) off the shelf without much issue,  top end of that budget might get you a US made NS or X model.  They also seem happy for customers to approach them direct to circumvent the whole dealer markup.

It’s definitely a legit contender.  But you know where my problem lies? Whenever I think of Spector I think of hair metal.  Completely irrational I know, but I can’t help it. 🙂

[therealting]

13 minutes ago, Marcray said:

Yep, it’s on my list as a possibility.  I’ve also considered asking a luthier to simply build something with the same type pickup options.  Although for some reason that gives me more anxiety 😁.

I’ve thought about modifying a cheap bass by adding a powerful stealth neck pickup below the pickguard!

[NancyJohnson]

43 minutes ago, Marcray said:

It’s definitely a legit contender.  But you know where my problem lies? Whenever I think of Spector I think of hair metal.  Completely irrational I know, but I can’t help it. 🙂

Hmm.  I can see the association, I'll grant you that you do see an awful lot of this:

and this:

 I often wonder whether Spector love the association or whether they cringe a little at these.

They're still great basses.

Edited May 19, 2020 by NancyJohnson

[NicoMcJ]

Sandberg, Sadowsky and Dingwall would all be top of my "must try" list!

Jason Newstead's Sadowsky tone was one of the all-time great modern bass tones.  It's just a shame you could never hear it on the records.  Live, however, was something else!

Dingwall is THE epitomy of modern bass.  Like a Stingray on steroids, it loves grit and punches very hard indead.  Possibly more "metal" than rock but definitely worth a look.

Sandberg are just beautifully made.  They aren't overly complex to drive and have pickup combinations to suit any occasion.  Listen to some of the more recent Rammestein albums to hear what they can do.

[NicoMcJ]

Skip to 56 seconds to hear Jaon's Sadowsky in action:

 

[ClassicVibes]

36 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

Hmm.  I can see the association, I'll grant you that you do see an awful lot of this:

and this:

 I often wonder whether Spector love the association or whether they cringe a little at these.

They're still great basses.

Pantera, one of the greatest metal bands of all time?

FFDP I will admit are poo. 

[Eldon Tyrell]

38 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

Hmm.  I can see the association, I'll grant you that you do see an awful lot of this:

and this:

 I often wonder whether Spector love the association or whether they cringe a little at these.

They're still great basses.

Rex Brown - Legend! Now with Warwick though

[Eldon Tyrell]

1 hour ago, Marcray said:

It’s definitely a legit contender.  But you know where my problem lies? Whenever I think of Spector I think of hair metal.  Completely irrational I know, but I can’t help it. 🙂

Hmm, never really connected Spector with hair metal. For me it is the sound of Alice in Chains - Mike Starr and Mike Inez, the latter has both a Warwick Streamer I (moon burst finish, now "replicated" in his Fishman Fluence Legacy pickup) as well as a red Spector NS-2 (drop D tuning). 

Interestingly, he wears the same shirt as Rex Brown 🙂

[Painy]

28 minutes ago, NicoMcJ said:

Skip to 56 seconds to hear Jaon's Sadowsky in action:

 

Jason wasn't recording with Sadowskys until the Load/Reload stuff. I believe most of ...And Justice For All was recorded using a Spector. 

[ClassicVibes]

Who could forget Doug Wimbish? 

[Marcray]

2 hours ago, NancyJohnson said:

Hmm.  I can see the association, I'll grant you that you do see an awful lot of this:

and this:

 I often wonder whether Spector love the association or whether they cringe a little at these.

They're still great basses.

For me it’s... 😁

Edited May 19, 2020 by Marcray

[hooky_lowdown]

Wouldn't it be easier to change your pickups/electrics/strings on your current basses?

Drop in modern voiced pickups, preamp and ss roundwounds, and you have a modern sounding bass.

[Eldon Tyrell]

1 hour ago, Marcray said:

For me it’s... 😁

Uhhh, good I did not see those before buying my first Spector, which, ironically, was a white Euro LE 😎

[Cuzzie]

For that money and to be ‘different’

Spector Doug Wimbish Bass

Jackson Dave Ellefson signature Concert Bass

Status Stealth bass (Headed or headless) with whatever preamp they do you prefer (with LED’s of course!)

Fano do very good instruments and do a nice take on a reverse thunderbird 

Aria Pro II SB

Rickenbacker

Stingray Special

Schecter C4 Apocalypse

Orville Thunderbird

Peavey Cirrus

 

just a few ideas